‘Final hurdle cleared’ as stevia wins EU approval
The International Stevia Council has welcomed the final approval of EC regulation to authorise the use of steviol glycosides as a non-caloric sweetener in the European market.
“The final hurdle in the regulatory process for steviol glycosides – the scrutiny of the regulation by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers – has been cleared,” says executive director Maria Teresa Scardigli. “The regulation was formally adopted on 11 November and will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU Official Journal, which occurred on 12 November.”
As a result, consumers across Europe will be able to enjoy products sweetened by steviol glycosides as early as 2 December 2011.
Steviol glycosides or purified stevia extracts are derived from the Stevia plant – a small shrub native to South America.
Leading global food safety experts, including the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), have established that steviol glycosides are safe for all populations to consume and steviol glycosides are a suitable sweetening option for people with diabetes.
“This is a major step forward for consumer choice in Europe,” adds Carl Horn, president of the International Stevia Council. “Steviol glycosides are derived from a natural source, the stevia plant, and are zero-calorie. These two characteristics are key attributes for consumers searching for ‘better for me’ products in their efforts to lead healthier life styles and manage weight. In the coming weeks and months, consumers will begin to see new products sweetened with stevia appearing on the shelves in European supermarkets.”
